MANILA — The BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the country’s second strategic sealift vessel, was named after the Philippine province that is famous for the majestic Mount Apo, as well as rare flora and fauna.

Calling the vessel ‘Davao Del Sur’ gives due recognition to the province as a “sanctuary of natural wonders and rarities, like the country’s highest peak Mount Apo, the most prized Philippine orchid Vanda Sanderiana, and the endangered Philippine Eagle”, Philippine Navy (PN) spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said Friday.

It is also a tribute to a former Navy vessel of the same name that was notable for its accomplishments during the 1980s, Lincuna said.

“Naming the vessel after Davao Del Sur is consistent with its predecessor, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601), which was also named after a province,” he added.

The ship will be commissioned on May 30, during the Navy’s 119th founding anniversary.

The ship arrived and anchored off Pier 13 at the Manila South Harbor last Monday after departing from the PT PAL (Persero) shipyard in Surabaya, Indonesia last May 4.

Lincuna said the vessel will boost the Navy’s capability to conduct humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions alongside troop and cargo missions.

The BRP Davao Del Sur, launched on Sept. 29 last year, is the sister ship of the BRP Tarlac, currently the largest Filipino warship in commission.

A Makassar-class landing platform dock, BRP Davao Del Sur will serve as a floating command-and-control ship, especially in HADR operations, and as a military sealift and transport vessel.

The ship has an overall length of 120 meters, breadth of 21 meters, and draft of 5 meters and can carry a payload of 2,800 tons. It has a cruising speed of 13 knots, a maximum speed of 16 knots, and a minimum operating range of 7,500 nautical miles.